Shoulder-mounted equipment carrier

ABSTRACT

A shoulder-mounted equipment carrying device is disclosed. The device comprises at least one shoulder hook for mounting over a user&#39;s shoulder connected with an equipment-attachment portion positioned proximal to the user&#39;s back or front. The device allows for quick access to attached equipment, and is of particular use to users such as photographers who may need fast and repeated access to equipment such as a tripod. The device further comprises tension pads and ventilation holes for comfort, and a grip pad for better frictional attachment to the shoulder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a shoulder-mounted equipment carrying device, and more particularly to a device having a shoulder hook for mounting over a user's shoulder, the shoulder hook connected with an equipment-attachment portion positioned proximal to the user's back or front.

(2) Description of Related Art

Shoulder-mounted carrying devices have long been known in the art. Historically, people have strapped loads to their shoulders and back via ropes and fabrics. Such arrangements have the drawback of the fabric cutting into the shoulder and being uncomfortable. More recently, backpacks with padded shoulder straps wrapping over the shoulders and under the armpits have become the dominant form of shoulder-mounted carrying device. Standard backpacks, however, cause a problem for users who may need to access equipment quickly such as photographers, hunters, fishermen, paramedics, or firemen. In the case of photographers, the crucial seconds required to remove a piece of equipment such as a tripod from a backpack could result in loss of a fleeting shot.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a shoulder-mounted equipment carrying device that is both comfortable and provides quick access to the attached equipment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoulder-mounted equipment carrying device, and more particularly to a device having a shoulder hook for mounting over a user's shoulder, the shoulder hook connected with an equipment-attachment portion positioned proximal to the user's back or front. The principle aspect of the device comprises at least one shoulder hook connected with an equipment-attaching portion, such that the at least one shoulder hook fits over a user's shoulder with the equipment-attaching portion positioned proximal to a part of the user's body selected from the group consisting of the user's back and the user's front, whereby equipment can be attached to the equipment-attaching portion and easily carried by a user via the at least one shoulder hook.

In another aspect of the device, the equipment-attaching portion is selected from the group consisting of a clamp and a pouch.

In yet another aspect, the device further comprises a tension pad connected with an interior portion of the at least one shoulder hook.

In another aspect, the device further comprises a grip pad connected with an interior portion of the at least one shoulder hook.

In yet another aspect, the at least one shoulder hook contains a ventilation hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustration showing the device of the present invention holding a generic rod-like piece of equipment;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration showing the device of the present invention; and

FIG. 3A is a side view illustration showing the device as worn by a user, with the equipment attaching portion proximal to the user's back.

FIG. 3B is a side view illustration showing the device as worn by a user, with the equipment attaching portion proximal to the user's front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a shoulder-mounted equipment carrying device, and more particularly to a device having a shoulder hook for mounting over a user's shoulder connected with an equipment-attachment portion positioned proximal to the user's back. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of aspects. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the aspects presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Further, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

The present invention relates to a shoulder-mounted equipment carrying device, and more particularly to a device having a shoulder hook for mounting over a user's shoulder, the shoulder hook connected with an equipment-attachment portion positioned proximal to the user's back or front. The device allows for quick access to attached equipment, and is of particular use to users such as photographers who may need fast and repeated access to equipment such as a tripod.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the device. The device comprises a shoulder hook 100 connected with an equipment attaching portion 102, such that the at least one shoulder hook fits over a user's shoulder with the equipment attaching portion positioned proximal to a user's back or front. The aspect shown in FIG. 1 comprises one shoulder hook 100, which would provide maximum speed for taking the apparatus on and off the shoulder. A two-hook version would provide greater stability and would therefore be preferable for carrying heavier loads, but would not provide the same quick access to the equipment. The shoulder hook 100 can be made of any rigid or semi-rigid material such as but not limited to metal or plastic. The shoulder hook 100 comprises an opened, substantially crescent-shape.

The device may further comprise one or more tension pads 104 connected with the interior portion of the shoulder hook 100. The tension pad 104 is designed to alleviate tension on the user's body caused by the hard edges and points of the device. Therefore, the tension pads 104 may be made of any suitable soft material such as but not limited to foam, rubber, or cotton-stuffed fabric.

Furthermore, a grip pad 106 connected with the interior portion of the shoulder hook 100 serves to provide a frictional surface to keep the hook on the user's shoulder. The grip pad may be constructed of any material suitable to provide a frictional surface to the skin or clothing of the user, and/or may comprise a textured surface to provide grip.

The shoulder hook 100 may also have one or more ventilation holes 200 as viewed from the top in FIG. 2. The example in FIG. 2 shows a series of ventilation holes 200 running the length of the shoulder hook 100, but other configurations of ventilation holes are possible. The ventilation holes provide an outlet for heat and perspiration from the user's body.

An equipment-attaching portion 102 is connected with the shoulder hook 100. The equipment-attaching portion 102 can be designed to hold a variety of equipment. The aspect shown in FIG. 1 shows an equipment-attaching portion 102 attached with a rod-like piece of equipment 108. The device shown would be ideal for carrying a camera tripod, axe, fishing pole, tent poles, or any other rod-shaped piece of equipment. The clamp structure of this aspect is further illustrated in the top view FIG. 2. The aspect shown is a twin-barreled clamp for use with camera tripods or other rod-shaped equipment. The equipment-attaching portion 102 can also comprise a pouch as with a standard backpack, a flat plate with a hole for screw-on attachment via a wing-nut, or any of a variety of other attachment means known in the art.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the device as worn by a user with the shoulder hook 100 mounted over the user's shoulder 300 with the equipment-attaching portion 102 proximal to the user's back 302 as in FIG. 3A, or proximal to the user's front 304 as in FIG. 3B. 

1. A shoulder-mounted equipment carrier, comprising: at least one shoulder hook connected with an equipment-attaching portion, such that the at least one shoulder hook fits over a user's shoulder with the equipment-attaching portion positioned proximal to a part of the user's body selected from the group consisting of the user's back and the user's front; whereby equipment can be attached to the equipment-attaching portion and easily carried by a user via the at least one shoulder hook.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the equipment-attaching portion is selected from the group consisting of a clamp, a pouch, and a flat plate containing a hole for screw-on attachment.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tension pad connected with an interior portion of the at least one shoulder hook.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a grip pad connected with an interior portion of the at least one shoulder hook.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one shoulder pad contains a ventilation hole. 